After competing in triathlons for 9 years, I decided it was time to try something different. In the back of my mind I had always had this idea that I would try to swim the English Channel some day. Now, after almost 2 years of distance swimming training, that day is almost here!

Plot of my course

Friday, September 26, 2008

Soap opera

So to continue the soap opera, the weather tomorrow is swimmable. However, I will not be able to swim with my pilot after all. The first slot fella, Chris, will swim with him on Saturday. Even though Sunday and Monday may be swimmable (but harder due to the tides) that is not an option as my contract with Eddie ends Saturday and he has commitments to take rowers across the channel on Sunday. All kinds of crossings take place apparently. In fact, as we had lunch outside today we got to see a man fly across the channel using a jetpack and a wing. He parachuted as planned and landed 2-3 miles away. It was pretty neat to watch.

So back to my swim, I remembered seeing a post on a site for channel swimmers that said a pilot had a first postion open. That's a little unusual since these things are booked at least a year in advance but I went ahead and contacted him. Long story short, I will be swimming with him tomorrow morning starting out at about 8:45am Dover time/3:45am SC time. If all goes well, I will finish close to midnight, get back to Dover around 3:00am and then leave for the airport at 5:00am. It will be tight.

The last piece of the soap opera is that I have a bad cold and am concerned about having the strength and stamina to make it across. I asked the advice of some expert channel swimmers and people for whom I have great respect. They told me I should wait until I feel right physically and mentally and come back next year. I think they are wise. However, I am stubborn. So I will swim. They will probably be right in the end but I figure my worst case scenario is that I don't make it all the way across but get a really good (and expensive) training experience for my next shot at it which could really be 2 years away because 2009 is mostly booked. I need to take this chance now. I am going to try hard to get my head in the right place to do this. I need to think there's only one way to finish this swim. By walking out on French soil.

So while my family is out and about now making last minute arrangements, money transfers, etc, I am going to try and get a nap and then pack my bags a final time. I really want to say publicly how much I appreciate the help and support my wife Lauri, sons Ben and Jacob, support person Bonnie Crickman and her daughter Anna have provided me. The have endured the rollercoaster and been real troopers. I owe them big time for putting them through this. Thanks also to everyone who has written me on this blog or otherwise. The support has been fantastic.

PS - I removed the picture of Anastasia and the link to track my progress as I will not be with that boat now. I will be on Ocean Breeze with David Whyte. Unfortunately, it does not have the ability to be tracked as the other boat did. So I will have to get the word out as soon as I am able to get back on this blog. I am signing off for now. I will get dinner soon and head to bed. Tomorrow, I swim.

16 comments:

Allan, we are all pulling for you here at Thomas Hart. Just remember when you have done everything in your power to make something work and it doesn't then the Lord may just have other plans for you! Tell everyone hi and that we miss them. I can't wait to hear the stories that Ben, Jacob and especially Anna will come back with. God Bless You All! Jocelyn

Allan, our thoughts and prayers are with you on your swim. We have great confidence a head cold will not stop you. Sink or swim, we can't wait to hear the full story. You've been an inspiration to all of us as a person who perseveres regardless of the odds or obstacles. Terry, Wanda and family. P.S. Wanda says if she can pass G.L.P ont the bike, you can swim "the Channel".

I know you probably won't see this posting until you've "completed" the swim...yes I consciously use that word because I know you won't feel complete - stubborn guy that you are - unless you try. I am cheering you on here in rainy North Carolina.

You'll probably sleep soundly all the way back across the Atlantic at least!!

I am praying to the Channel Gods that you get out. There is next year, if not and the experience you have gained over the past weeks will be incredibly helpful. (George Hunihan was blown out last year and came back with a new perspective for his successful swim this year.)

Frequently Asked Questions...

Why swim the English Channel? Because life is short. I like to set big goals and see what I can do. Even if I don't make it, I would rather have tried and failed than to never have tried at all. I'm also doing this in the hope that it will encourage my two sons to go after whatever it is they want in life.

How far is it? 21 miles if you go in a straight line between the closest points. But no one does that with the tides, wind, and currents.

How long will it take? I'm guessing 16 hours but it really depends on the weather that day.

How cold will it be? Probably around 60 deg. That is actually the hardest part. Many people fail due to hypothermia. And to count as an "official" swim, no wetsuits allowed. Brrrr.

When is the swim? I will leave for the U.K. on September 14. I will practice swim in the Dover Harbor for the next week trying to acclimate to the cold water. Then, sometime the week of September 21 (depending upon the weather), I will swim the Channel.